American Paralympic gold medalist Robert Griswold has been accused of sexually assaulting a mentally challenged teammate during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and for a time after the games.
Griswold, a two-time gold medal winner, is charged with “maliciously targeting and grooming” a 19-year-old autistic man in a way that “rendered him vulnerable and naive to abuse.”
Robert Griswold of the United States looks on following the Men’s 100m Butterfly S8 Final during Day Three of the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships at Penteada Olympic Pools Complex on June 14, 2022, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. (Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
“This case is a horrific tragedy, where a young man who defied all odds to become a world-class Paralympic swimmer had his life utterly shattered by rape and abuse when he was paired with a team member who was a violent sexual predator,” the complaint states according to the Washington Post.
The 25-year-old 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter S8 backstroke gold medalist was suspended by the Paralympic Committee in Sept. after “allegations of misconduct” were made against him.
The alleged victim is said to have the mental capacity of a “five-year-old child.” Griswold is said to have taken the man under his wing and began acting like a “de facto chaperone” for the man during the Tokyo games.
Griswold is accused of raping the man during the games in Tokyo and continuing the assaults for some time afterward.
(L-R) Silver medalist Feng Yang of Team China, gold medalist Robert Griswold of Team United States, and bronze medalist Denys Dubrov of Team Ukraine pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men’s 100m Butterfly – S8 Final on day 10 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on September 03, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee is also accused of doing nothing despite being alerted to the allegations against Griswold.
The USOPC claimed that they take the filing “very seriously.”
“We’ve made the decision to place two staff members on administrative leave and have also stopped the work of several contractors with U.S. Paralympics Swimming. We’re also continuing our investigation of the allegations to help us determine the facts, and we are committed to taking appropriate action,” the USOPC added.
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